Cruces Gymnastics: students are part of the family

Published June 13, 2006 This is the 11th in a series of area health clubs and fitness centers that will be profiled in Healthy Living.

Things are always jumping at Cruces Gymnastics Academy."You feel like you're part of the family here, and you get lots of individual attention," said Tony Randazzo of Las Cruces, waiting with his wife Vivian while their daughter Ashleigh tumbled under the supervision of coach Rick Hall.

"There's a very friendly atmosphere here," said Suzanne Martinez of Las Cruces, watching with other parents in the bleachers as her daughter Victoria learned new gymnastics skills.

Lindsey Giacomeli, 12, of Las Cruces, said she loves "everything" about the place and Las Cruces gymnast Roxanne Waggoner, also 12, agrees.

"It's the best gym I've been to and the coach is really good," Waggoner said.

Mui Leung of Las Cruces said her son Kean, 6, loves the nonprofit, community gymnastic center.

"My boy really likes Mr. Rick and says he's a funny guy," Leung said.

"You did good! Looking good!" shouted coach Hall, as a tiny slip of a girl nailed a complex maneuver.

Hall was among a group that founded Cruces Gymnastics Academy in 1999 in response, he said, to a community need.

"We have quite a group here this summer. We just finished a gymnastic day camp and are thinking about doing another. Usually, September is our biggest month," Hall said.

He said cutbacks in public school physical education programs have prompted a greater interest in private gymnastics facilities.

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"We also get a lot of home-schooled kids who use this for their phys. ed. requirement," Hall said.

He estimates that the center has nearly 200 members.

"Most of our bodies are first- to sixth-graders," he said, but participants range from toddlers to senior citizens.

Gymnastics adventures begin with a Moms & Tots class for preschoolers ages 2 to 3 years, and progress to pre-Kinder (age 3), Kinder (ages 4 to 5) and Advance Kinder classes. A group called Hot Shots is open by invitation only to skilled youngsters.

Separate classes for boys and girls on beginning, intermediate and advanced levels are offered for kids aged 6 to 12 years old. Adult classes are available for those 16 and over.

The center also offers pre-team and cheerleading training and regional gymnastic teams work out at the facility.

Safety is a priority, Hall said.

"All of our instructors are certified and safety trained. We offer a free class which starts with an introduction to the equipment and there are always people here supervising and making sure people are doing things safely," said Hall, who has personally designed some custom equipment for smaller children.

The center offers equipment that is appropriately sized for each age group.

Cruces Gymnastics Academy has produced some state and regional champions, Hall said.

"My kids have a lot of energy and need to find a positive outlet and the right situation. They started working out here with Rick and they just blossomed," Peacher said.

The center also offers periodic gymnastic day camps and fiesta opportunities.

Two-hour birthday party packages include 90 minutes of gymnastics and a half hour for cake and pizza. Parents can bring in food of their choice and decorate and staff will set up for the party and clean up afterwards. Fees are $85 for up to ten kids and $5 for each additional child.

The family atmosphere is enhanced by areas where kids can get a drink or a snack after their workout or pick up new or gently used, donated "leos" (leotards).

"We have a great group of parents who volunteer their time and a board of directors who help us," Hall said. "We focus on gymnastics and the fun of it as well as guidance and instruction."

Fees range from $5 for a single drop-in class and go up to $65 to $82 per month for team-level multiple classes. The basic membership fee is $30 per year.

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